Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has challenged supporters of President Bola Tinubu to translate their political endorsement into votes in the January 16, 2027 election, insisting that every stakeholder must deliver their polling unit, ward, local government and state.
Wike gave the charge on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
The gathering brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen, indigenous communities and residents, who endorsed Tinubu for a second term, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT senatorial seat, Hon. Don Gabaya for Abuja North Federal Constituency and former Bwari Area Council Chairman, Danladi Chiya, for Abuja South Federal Constituency.
The minister cautioned political stakeholders against claiming credit for electoral victories without making meaningful contributions at the grassroots, stressing that genuine support must be demonstrated through votes at polling units.
“Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward, deliver your local government, deliver your state,” he declared.
He added: “I don’t want to hear that I lost my polling unit, but we won. There is no grammar like that. If you lose your polling unit, don’t say you won, because you never contributed to the victory.”
Wike, who described the endorsement as a significant political development, thanked the traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen and residents for supporting the initiative.
He urged the people not to repeat what he described as the mistake of the 2023 general election, saying the forthcoming poll offered an opportunity to correct past political decisions.
“We shall never make the mistake we made in 2023. Are we going to make the same mistake? No! When you realise a mistake, you correct it,” he said.
The minister called on residents to support Aduda, whom he described as their son, father and friend, arguing that effective representation required a senator who understood the people’s concerns and remained accessible to constituents.
Questioning the performance of the incumbent senator, Wike asked whether the current representative had demonstrated sufficient concern for the welfare of FCT residents or maintained regular contact with them.
“Today, can you say in all honesty, the person representing you in the Senate, does she care about you? Has she called you for a meeting any day? Can she move any bill for the betterment of the FCT?” he asked.
He said the stakeholders had resolved to support Aduda as their preferred candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
Wike also attributed the endorsement of Tinubu to the President’s interventions in infrastructure development and institutional reforms in the FCT, particularly the upgrading of traditional institutions.
According to him, successive administrations had failed to upgrade the territory’s traditional institutions for 27 years until Tinubu approved the exercise.
He disclosed that the President had also approved the provision of Sports Utility Vehicles for traditional rulers, which would be presented on December 4.
“Leadership is key. We must have a leader who is courageous, who will stand firm and do what is right, and who will not bother about criticism. What is right is right,” he said.
The minister said traditional institutions deserved greater attention and empowerment because of their contributions to peace, community development and the preservation of cultural heritage.
He commended the six area council chairmen for cooperating with the FCT Administration despite their different political affiliations, noting that their collaboration had contributed to development across the territory.
